Hello all, I have another newbie question. I want to build a live bait rod for albacore and I feel like I'm up for the task. I have searched the archives and found that the CLB 804 is a good choice for a blank, I like 8' rods, with NSG guides. My question is about guide sizes and spacing using a Bumper Wrap, especially the best size guide for the bumper. Also please recommend the best grip material and appropriate seat (your personal favorites) for this application. I also want to thank you all for this great resource, I have most all the back issues of Rod Maker and my wife thinks I spend too much time reading posts on this site.
Thanks,
Morgan

Morgan,
This is the one time you can say she is mistaken, you can not spend to much time here. It's the next best thing to using your custom rods. Knowing what you are using for a reel would help select guides, using a taller guide for a stripper may also help straighten out your transition to the bottom.

I have many options in the reel department. I have Daiwa Saltigas in SA 15 and SA 30T, Calcutta 400, ProGear CS500, Accurate 270, and a Accuplate/Jigmaster in the "99" size. I think the SA 15 and the Calcutta are a little small and the SA 30T a little big so I'd probably go with the ProGear or the Accurate. As you can tell from my assortment of reels I have the gear obsession pretty bad. I am fairly new at rod building but the seven that I have built have come out pretty well although I have only used tried-and-true combinations. There is not much like landing a big'n on a rod you built yourself or giving one to an appreciative friend and watching it work well. I figure I'll use the 100-degree bumper position if that helps any. Thanks in advance.
Morgan

Not having used or seen your reels, I guess a size 20 reel seat, 16, 12, 12, 10, than 7s to the 7 tip for that light a rod and reel. If you do a lot of casting I would try a 20 for a stripper to see if it helped than start from there guide wise. Trolling I'd go with a slick butt, for weight saving if your also going to cast a lot I'd try a graphite tube butt to get the slickness and save a bunch of weight with a light 15 lb rod and reel like your using. Have used them on heavy salmon rods with no problems. I think the large diameter tube will match ok with a 20 spinning reelseat, I don't seem to have one here, but a 18mm is a little small. Another option would be a rope grip, Looks like a rubber cap for a gimbal would work here as a butt cap with rope. I'd size my grip lengths to what feels natural to you. I think I'd use whatever guide angle on the bumper that the line/rod gives me as the best path.
Your wife has now been wrong once. You can not spend to much time here or fishing.
I caught lots of albacore pulling feather rigs behind Coast Guard motor lifeboats. We used heavy weight salmon rods usually with no problems. We were really out there saving lives and property, really we were. WELL WE WERE. LOL.
All the best to you and yours.